PhD Studentship: Dispersion in turbulent boundary layers

PhD Studentship: Dispersion in turbulent boundary layers

Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics Research Group

Location:  Highfield Campus
Closing Date:   Thursday 01 December 2016
Reference:  666615AK

Project Reference: AACE-AFM-142

Project Theme:  Fluid Dynamics

The aim of this project is to study how mass is transported in boundary layer flows and is effected by local flow structures created by complex surface topographies. Experiments will trace the dispersion of fluorescence dye released in a water channel, utilizing the laser-diagnostic techniques of particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) to measure the velocity and concentration in the flow. A variety of surface topographies will be generated by 3D printing and placed in the flow to study how different surfaces can create preferential pathways (such as through urban canyons) for mass transport. There is also the opportunity to further develop these experimental techniques using multiple lasers to acquire pioneering 3D concentration measurements. The results of these experiments will aid our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of dispersion and be used to develop models to track pollution in the atmosphere and oceans. Applicants should have experience with design and manufacturing of equipment (such as undergraduate training in the machine shop or extracurricular project work) and/or experience performing experiments in fluid mechanics (such as previous project work in a wind tunnel or water channel). Funding for an EU/UK studentship is available.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Christina Vanderwel, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics research group, Email: C.M.Vanderwel@soton.ac.uk.

To apply please use the following link http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/apply.page? and select Faculty of Engineering and the Environment.